Court postpones ruling on domestic partners

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A vicious snowstorm has forced a state appeals court to delay releasing a ruling on whether Wisconsin's domestic partnership registry.

The 4th District Court of Appeals was scheduled to release its ruling on Thursday. But the state Supreme Court and the appeals courts didn't open Thursday morning as employees weathered the storm at home.

It's unclear when the registry ruling may come. Courts spokesman Tom Sheehan didn't immediately respond to an email inquiry.

The registry grants same-sex couples a host of legal rights such as the rights to visit each other in hospitals and make end-of-life decisions. The conservative group Wisconsin Family Action has challenged the registry, saying it violates the Wisconsin Constitution's ban on gay marriage. A Madison judge ruled last year the registry was constitutional.